With Tannehill at QB for A&M, Cowboys shouldn’t expect charity
Published: 9/20/2011 3:48 PM
Last Modified: 9/21/2011 6:30 PM
OU's Corey Nelson tackles Ryan Tannehill last season. STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World file
A&M defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter has a history of success against spread offensive attacks, and his Aggies stifled OSU. The Cowboys were limited to 67 rushing yards – their lowest total of the 2010 season. OSU was limited to 351 total yards – its second-lowest total of the 2010 season.
However, with 16 seconds remaining and the score tied at 35-35, a terrible Johnson pass was intercepted by OSU linebacker Shaun Lewis. A 28-yard return resulted in Dan Bailey’s final-play field goal attempt from 40 yards. The kick was good and OSU escaped with a 38-35 victory.
Since Johnson was benched at midseason and Ryan Tannehill became the starting quarterback, A&M has been a different team. In his first start, in a victory over Texas Tech, Tannehill passed for a school-record total of 449 yards. By season’s end, he also had broken the school record for completion percentage (65.0).
With Tannehill as the starter, Texas A&M is 7-1. The Aggies defeated Oklahoma, Nebraska and Texas, and on Saturday they get another shot at Oklahoma State. The Cowboys have prevailed in each of their last three meetings with A&M.
OSU is ranked No. 7 in the AP poll. A&M is No. 8. Stakes are high. A crowd of more than 86,000 is expected at A&M’s 82,600-seat Kyle Field.
Oklahoma State can beat Texas A&M. The Cowboys are outfitted not only with Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon, but with playmakers like Joseph Randle, Josh Cooper, Alex Elkins, Markelle Martin, Brodrick Brown and Justin Gilbert. OSU has a veteran offensive line that won’t freak out in such a hostile setting.
But with Ryan Tannehill at QB, the Aggies won’t give this one away. A&M is a three-point favorite. Tough assignment for Oklahoma State.
-- Bill Haisten
Written by
Bill Haisten
Sports Writer
